SALISBURY, Md. — Zoo officials are calling on the public to attend a ceremonial groundbreaking event scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, beginning at 10 a.m. for the facility’s new Expedition Ecuador Habitat designed to house white-nosed coati. This development represents a major achievement in the zoo’s continued dedication to animal welfare, visitor experience, and creating immersive animal environments.
Community members are welcome to participate in the June 17 morning ceremony and celebrate this important moment alongside zoo personnel and advocates.
The initiative stands as the zoo’s first completely new animal enclosure built in over a decade and a half. The habitat design prioritizes both creature comfort and public education, creating an active and stimulating space for a coati group while also supporting the behavioral needs of solitary adult males. These highly gregarious creatures originate from Central and South American regions and belong to the raccoon species family.
Building work should wrap up by late 2026. The completed enclosure will include dual outdoor observation areas where visitors can watch these energetic and inquisitive animals in a natural-style environment. The structure will also incorporate interior viewing panels, giving guests chances to observe the coatis during any weather conditions.
Bringing coatis back represents a longtime objective in the zoo’s species collection strategy to reintroduce this animal type to the facility. Distinguished by their elongated snouts, banded tails, and inquisitive nature, coatis will offer visitors a special chance to watch and discover one of South America’s most captivating species.
In a recent situation demonstrating the zoo’s dedication to animal care, officials were approached by the USDA and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan about an emergency placement need for a coati from a closing facility in northern New York. With habitat construction plans already in motion, zoo staff could intervene and offer sanctuary.
A middle-aged female coati called Lulu has recently joined the zoo and is currently receiving care in a specialized holding space within the veterinary facility. She remains in outstanding health and will move to her permanent enclosure after building completion, where officials expect her to flourish.
“This groundbreaking represents another step forward in our commitment to providing exceptional animal care and engaging experiences for our guests,” said Chuck Eicholz, Director of the Salisbury Zoo. “We are excited to share this moment with the community and look forward to providing Lulu with a new home here at the Salisbury Zoo.”
The endeavor receives backing from the recently established Salisbury Zoo Foundation, Inc., the zoo’s 501(c)(3) fundraising organization, along with generous contributions from the Palmer Foundation, whose donation helped initiate the project.
Fundraising activities continue, with additional contributions required to complete construction and establish Lulu’s permanent residence. Those interested in supporting Expedition Ecuador can find information at: https://salisburyzoo.org/support/fundraising/expedition-ecuador/
Details about the habitat’s official opening will be shared as construction advances.
